ORCHIDS FOR ZONE 9b AND OTHER MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATES

There are so many Cymbidium hybrids that you could have a collection of nothing else, and still run out of room! Tolerates temperatures down to freezing, but prefers minimum around 40 degrees.

Has short sprays of purple flowers in spring.  There are many color forms and hybrids of this humble plant.  Very easy to grow outdoors in Sacramento.

Grows well outdoors, tolerating as low as 22 degrees, but much happier when above 30 degrees.  Primary hybrids with L. anceps are often cold tolerant as well.

This is a L. anceps hybrid, and therefore quite cold tolerant.  Can grow outdoors year round in zone 9b with only occasional protection

Has long sprays of cute yellow flowers, about one inch across.  Does well mounted on a tree fern trunk.  I've grown this outdoors for several years, but no blooms yet.  Perhaps this year's the charm!

A smaller plant, ultimately with many growths, each sporting one to two flowers.  Seems to grow best when subject to cool winter temperatures.  I've never been able to bloom it in a greenhouse, but outdoors it thrives and blooms copiously.

You can find these for sale at many local grocery stores.  They sport three inch purple and green flowers, which are often scented.  Did you know that they do quite well grown outdoors year-round in dappled shade?  Tolerate down to freezing.